Nine-bout fight card for "Strikeforce: Nashville" official for April 17

With just less than two weeks until Strikeforce makes its return to network television with “Strikeforce: Nashville,” the promotion today announced five preliminary bouts previously reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Noticeably absent from the new bouts was heavyweight Bobby Lashley (5-0 MMA, 1-0 SF), who had been in discussions for a potential fight at the event.

Featuring a trio of title fights, “Strikeforce: Nashville” takes place April 17 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., and airs on CBS.

Strikeforce had previously announced a preliminary card matchup between Zach Underwood and Hunter Worsham, and today’s announcement brings the total number of preliminary card matchups to six.

Yarborough (6-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) has amassed a six-fight win streak since a UFC career that included a turn on “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” where he was defeated by C.B. Dollaway in the show’s quarterfinals, and a loss to castmate Tim Creduer that preceded his release from the promotion.

Schockman (3-2 MMA, 0-0 SF), meanwhile, has fought only twice since a lone UFC appearance at UFC 65 in November 2006, where he lost a unanimous decision to Jake O’Brien. He most recently fought in December 2008 and won a TKO victory over Thad Schilichter.

Ortiz (1-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Pennington (1-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) meet in a featherweight matchup. It’s Ortiz’s second professional fight and follows a submission victory over Lucas Thomas earlier this year. Pennington fought most recently this past November and lost a unanimous decision to Daniel Webb.

West (2-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Uhrich (4-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) are set to meet in a welterweight contest. Most recently, West won a 50-second TKO victory over Marcus Fletcher this past month at “Gameness 6″ while Uhrich earned a unanimous decision victory over Brandon Barger in his most recent appearance this past October.

St. Preux (4-4 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Hawk (3-3 MMA, 0-0 SF) meet in a light heavyweight contest. The former football standout St. Preux recently earned a TKO win over Brett Chism, while Hawk returns to action after a submission loss to Adriano Camolese in January.

Finally, featherweights Campbell (3-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Floyd (3-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) are set to do battle. Campbell is coming off a 37-second knockout of Dan Virtue in March while Floyd dispatched Jesse Beress by second-round TKO this past October.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.